We recently moved to SW Virginia and were surprised to notice several sheep farms in the area. We were wondering what type of market there is for sheep in this area - meat, wool, or both? Are there traveling sheep sheerers in this area? What types of sheep are you raising? Being new, we don't know anyone to ask and, unfortunatly, when we have attempted to talk to our neighbors about how and what they are raising (cattle, etc.) they seem to be very evasive or look at us like we are either being nosey or too stupid to respond adequately. Anyone out there care to share? Thanks a million!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001

Answers

Karen, you can always walk into you county Cooperative Extension Office and see what they can tell you. They should be very happy to talk about all of that stuff. As for your neighbors, it takes awhile for country people to accept new people---you kind of have to prove your worth before most people will readily accept you.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), December 13, 2001.

Greetings and welcome to S.W.Va. Where abouts yall located? My family lives in Craig County on what we call Look - away Farm. We raise come chickens( about 20 or so) and have two Tunis ewes (born last Spring) which we hope to be the foundation of our flock. We are planning on purchasing a ram this spring and have our first breeding in October 2002.The mothers of both ewes had twins as did their mothers and given the Tunis proclevity towards twins we expect the same out of these. We are also on the lookout for a pair of Alpine or Sanaan does. What type of sheep are you looking at raising? Sheep raising was starting to boom several years and then the coyotes moved in and wiped out the flocks. I personally know of only two other people who raise sheep in this neck of the woods. As far as the natives go, just one question... did you move here from the north? There tends to be some, shall we say animosity, when that occurs. Some things just take time... In the Bonds of the Old South, Fishdawg

-- Fishdawg (gold@rcs.k12.va.us), December 13, 2001.

There is a viable market for sheep and lambs in VA. Are you familiar with the Mid-Atlantic meat goat and Lamb marketing cooperative? A goup of 6 of us (goat and sheep producers) formed a cooperative about 3 yrs ago because we were taking a beating on our meat goat prices. I still remain active in the coop despite our recent move from VA. I would be happy to give you the contact names and e-mails, etc of several folks who may be able to assist you. Please e-mail me privately if interested. If anyone else is reading this from TN,WV,MD,NC,SC, or VA you can also obtain information on joining.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 13, 2001.

For up-to-date price information on sheep, cattle and hogs in Virginia go to:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mncs/ls_rich.htm

-- walt (longyear@shentel.net), December 14, 2001.

After a warm welcome, down here it is "common courtesy" to respond in some fashion to those who have greeted you and given answers to your quieries. I think I understand the response of those you mentioned......

-- Fishdawg (gold@rcs.k12.us.va), December 14, 2001.

Fishdawg, I am not sure what you mean. I emailed you and thanked you very much for your offer of assistance and information; however, I have not had any responce from you. I used my primary email (hotmail account) when doing so - but signing as "Karen" so you would know how I was. I am very considerate and thank all who offer me help and info.

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), December 15, 2001.

Maam, I checked my email which with few exceptions has not had deletions since Oct. and I couldn't find the forementioned communique. If I have been wrong or if there has been a technical error somewhere along the electronic trail, please accept my most humble apology. My wife sometimes tells me that if we lived 200 years ago, either I would be a famous duelist or she would be a widow. In the Bonds of the Old South... Fishdawg

-- (gold@rcs.k12.va.us), December 17, 2001.

Maam, I checked my email which with few exceptions has not had deletions since Oct. and I couldn't find the forementioned communique. If I have been wrong or if there has been a technical error somewhere along the electronic trail, please accept my most humble apology. My wife sometimes tells me that if we lived 200 years ago, either I would be a famous duelist or she would be a widow. In the Bonds of the Old South... Fishdawg

-- (gold@rcs.k12.va.us), December 17, 2001.